Tell It to the Commerce Dept.

The Clinton Administration is seeking public comments and suggestions on policies, laws or regulations that create barriers to e-commerce. "Some laws and regulations designed for the physical world may not always work in cyberspace," says Secretary of Commerce William Daley. "We need to ensure that governments do everything possible to foster this revolution in opportunity, convenience, and choice, while providing online equivalents to important consumer protections we now have in the paper-based world."

Vice President Gore announced the initiative in November 1999 through a Presidential directive to federal agencies. A Department of Commerce-led sub-group will undertake the initiative. Along with soliciting public comments, the Clinton Administration will invite representatives from federal agencies, and state and local governments to identify barriers to e-commerce, propose solutions and identify opportunities for collaboration.